10 interview questions and answers on Ethernet

Following is the list of questions and answers on Ethernet. This questionnaire will help one pass the job interview for various Ethernet Skill based positions as well as useful during viva for engineering students.

Ethernet questions and answers

Question - 1 : What is Ethernet?
Answer - 1 : Ethernet is a widely used networking technology that defines the physical and data link layers of the OSI model. It allows computers and devices within a local area network (LAN) to communicate with each other by transmitting data packets over a shared or dedicated medium, such as twisted-pair copper cables or fiber-optic cables.

Question - 2 : What are the different types of Ethernet cables?
Answer - 2 : The main types of Ethernet cables include:
• Category 5e (Cat5e): Supports data rates up to 1 Gbps and is commonly used for Ethernet networking in homes and small businesses.
• Category 6 (Cat6): Supports data rates up to 10 Gbps and provides better performance and higher bandwidth compared to Cat5e.
• Category 6a (Cat6a): Supports data rates up to 10 Gbps over longer distances and offers improved noise resistance and crosstalk performance
. • Category 7 (Cat7): Supports data rates up to 10 Gbps and features additional shielding for reduced interference and better performance in high-noise environments.

Question - 3 : What is the difference between half-duplex and full-duplex Ethernet communication?
Answer - 3 : In half-duplex Ethernet communication, devices can either transmit or receive data, but not simultaneously. This mode is often used in shared media environments where collisions can occur. In full-duplex Ethernet communication, devices can transmit and receive data simultaneously, allowing for higher throughput and reduced latency.

Question - 4 : What is an Ethernet switch, and how does it differ from an Ethernet hub?
Answer - 4 : An Ethernet switch is a networking device that connects multiple devices within a LAN and forwards data packets to their intended destinations based on their MAC addresses. Unlike an Ethernet hub, which simply broadcasts data to all connected devices, a switch intelligently routes traffic only to the devices that need to receive it, resulting in better performance and reduced network congestion.

Question - 5 : What is Power over Ethernet (PoE), and what are its benefits?
Answer - 5 : Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology that allows Ethernet cables to transmit electrical power alongside data, enabling devices such as IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points to be powered over the same Ethernet cable. The benefits of PoE include simplified installation, reduced cost and complexity of cabling infrastructure, and increased flexibility in device placement.

Question - 6 : What is Ethernet frame and what are its components?
Answer - 6 : An Ethernet frame is a data packet format used for transmitting data over Ethernet networks. It consists of several components, including:
• Preamble: A sequence of alternating ones and zeros used for synchronization and timing recovery.
• Start frame delimiter (SFD): Marks the beginning of the Ethernet frame.
• Destination MAC address: Identifies the intended recipient of the frame.
• Source MAC address: Identifies the sender of the frame.
• EtherType or Length field: Specifies the type of payload or the length of the frame.
• Payload: Contains the actual data being transmitted.
• Frame check sequence (FCS): A checksum value used for error detection.

Question - 7 : What is Ethernet collision, and how is it handled in Ethernet networks?
Answer - 7 : An Ethernet collision occurs when two or more devices attempt to transmit data simultaneously on a shared Ethernet segment, resulting in data corruption and loss. Ethernet networks use the Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) protocol to detect and resolve collisions. When a collision is detected, devices involved in the collision wait for a random amount of time before attempting to retransmit the data.

Question - 8 : What is Ethernet MAC address, and how is it used in Ethernet networks?
Answer - 8 : An Ethernet MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique identifier assigned to each network interface controller (NIC) in a device. It is used to identify devices on an Ethernet network and facilitate the delivery of data packets to their intended recipients. MAC addresses are typically 48 bits in length and are represented as hexadecimal numbers.

Question - 9 : What is Ethernet autonegotiation, and why is it important?
Answer - 9 : Ethernet autonegotiation is a feature that allows Ethernet devices to automatically negotiate and select the optimal network settings, such as speed, duplex mode, and flow control, during the initial link establishment process. Autonegotiation helps ensure compatibility and optimal performance between devices with different capabilities, reducing the need for manual configuration and troubleshooting.

Question - 10 : How does Ethernet handle network congestion, and what are some methods for managing congestion?
Answer - 10 : Ethernet networks handle network congestion through techniques such as flow control, congestion avoidance, and quality of service (QoS) mechanisms. Flow control mechanisms such as Ethernet Pause Frames allow devices to temporarily halt data transmission to prevent network congestion. Congestion avoidance techniques such as Random Early Detection (RED) and Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) help regulate traffic and prevent packet loss. Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms prioritize certain types of traffic, such as voice or video, over others to ensure optimal performance for critical applications.

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